The goals of Vision 2031 are ambitious. Sam Philip, Ellucian’s Director of Technical Services and Transformation, EMEA Ellucian explains how Software as a Service (SaaS) provides strong foundations for the sector’s ability to grow and innovate 

Dubai, Jan 27, 2026:  Vision 2031 has positioned UAE’s universities centre stage in the drive for excellence in learning, research and advancing technology. As the UAE accelerates towards the vision, universities are rethinking how they can scale, personalise learning and respond rapidly to emerging workforce needs. At the heart of this transformation is Software as a Service (SaaS), which is fast replacing legacy student information systems that are less suited to the scale and expectations of today’s universities. 

In this exclusive interview, Sam Philip, Ellucian’s Director of Technical Services and Transformation, EMEA examines how SaaS technology is enabling universities to deliver quality higher education experiences to a growing number of students. 

What Is SaaS and why are UAE universities adopting It? 

Software as a Service (SaaS) has rapidly become a powerful catalyst for change as universities across the UAE have recognised that legacy student information systems are barriers to future growth and innovation.  

SaaS brings disparate systems together and breaks down data silos. This saves universities significant time and resources, which is why institutions including University of Al Dhaid and Sharjah Maritime Academy have already made the move, with RAK Medical & Health Sciences University soon to follow. SaaS is defining the future of higher education in the UAE. 

How can SaaS support student success? 

UAE’s universities are supporting a growing number of local and international students. Manual processes make it harder for them to provide a tailored learning experience for these cohorts and meet their increasingly diverse needs.  

SaaS platforms give staff an instant, accurate view of how each student is progressing, so they can spot issues early and act quickly to keep them on track. This technology also enables the use of AI to personalise learning, allow students to map pathways to their own individual career goals and monitor progress towards them. 

How will SaaS help universities meet changing workforce demands? 

The sector is evolving at speed to upskill students for emerging industries such as AI and renewable energy. With Saas, new programmes can be introduced quickly and scaled up as demand grows.  

New degrees, micro-credentials and skills-based programmes can be launched without the need for lengthy upgrades to systems and infrastructure. Online learning modules can also be set up in days, with instant capacity to handle sudden increases in applications without slowing down.  

How can SaaS support collaboration? 

Information can be shared quickly and securely. This will become increasingly important as universities expand academic pathways, share resources and build joint programmes to deliver Vision 2031 goals. 

SaaS platforms can standardise the way information such as student and course details is recorded, allowing them to be shared securely between departments and institutions. This saves hours of administration time that can be re-focused on supporting students across multiple campuses. This is a step change in the way students today learn. 

How secure are SaaS solutions?  

All data hosted via a SaaS model benefits from continuous updates, built-in threat monitoring and advanced safeguards that are automatically delivered by the service provider.  

For UAE institutions, the availability of Ellucian SaaS on the local AWS node provides extra reassurance. It ensures that student and university data remains within the country and benefits from AWS’s high standards for reliability and compliance. 

Universities that embrace SaaS can unlock the efficiency and innovation needed to achieve the UAE’s Vision 2031 national goals. 

Learn more about Ellucian’s AI-powered SaaS.